What medicine should I take for severe dry cough?
Recently, with the seasonal changes and the high incidence of respiratory diseases, severe dry cough has become one of the hotly discussed health topics on the Internet. Many netizens consulted on social media and medical platforms about how to relieve dry cough symptoms. This article will combine the hot discussions and medical advice in the past 10 days to provide you with structured data and advice.
1. Common causes of severe dry cough

According to recent search data, a severe dry cough can be caused by:
| Reason | Proportion (%) | Typical symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| upper respiratory tract infection | 35% | Sore throat, stuffy nose |
| allergic cough | 25% | No phlegm, worsening at night |
| gastroesophageal reflux | 15% | Cough and heartburn after meals |
| environmental stimulation | 10% | Seizures after exposure to dust |
| other reasons | 15% | Professional diagnosis required |
2. Commonly used drugs for severe dry cough
Based on recent feedback from pharmaceutical experts and netizens on actual drug use, the following drug list has been compiled:
| drug type | Representative medicine | Applicable scenarios | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| antitussive medicine | Dextromethorphan | Dry cough without phlegm | Disabled for those with excessive phlegm |
| antihistamines | Loratadine | allergic cough | May cause drowsiness |
| Phlegm-reducing medicine | Ambroxol | accompanied by sticky phlegm | Need to drink more water |
| Chinese patent medicine | Chuanbei loquat paste | Dry throat | Diabetic patients should use with caution |
| antibiotics | Azithromycin | bacterial infection | Requires doctor's prescription |
3. Complementary therapies that have been hotly discussed by netizens recently
In addition to drug treatment, the following auxiliary therapies have been highly discussed in the past 10 days:
| method | heat index | Effectiveness evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| honey water | 85% | Good short-term relief |
| steam inhalation | 72% | Effective for dry cough |
| pear soup | 68% | Traditional diet therapy is popular |
| humidifier | 55% | Improve air humidity |
4. Precautions
1.duration: If some coughs persist for more than 2 weeks without relief, you should seek medical treatment in time.
2.Special groups: Pregnant women, children, and the elderly must follow medical advice when taking medication.
3.drug interactions: Consult a pharmacist when taking multiple medications.
4.COVID-19 related: Recent infections with new coronavirus variants may also manifest as severe dry cough, and antigen testing is recommended.
5. Doctor’s advice
According to a recent interview with a respiratory expert from a tertiary hospital:
1. Identifying the cause of the disease is key. It is not recommended to take antitussives for a long time by yourself.
2. When severe dry cough affects sleep at night, the pillow can be raised by 15-20 cm.
3. Keep drinking 2000ml of water every day and avoid irritating foods.
4. The haze weather has increased recently. It is recommended to wear N95 masks when going out.
The above content combines recent hot topics and medical advice on the Internet, and I hope it can provide reference for friends who are troubled by dry cough. However, it should be noted that individual circumstances vary, and severe or persistent symptoms must seek medical attention promptly.
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